Londonderry Crown Court heard the offences relate to a nine-year period from January 1993.

Judge Piers Grant was told that five of the charges were specific counts and the remaining 38 charges were specimen counts.

A defence barrister said the trial could last up to two weeks. The barrister also told Judge Grant that the defendant “was a neighbour who became involved in a relationship with the complainants' mother”.

The defendant was released on continuing bail until his trial, which has been provisionally fixed for February 21.